How it Works

What does a NOAA weather buoy 3000 miles away in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean have to do with snow in Utah, Colorado & Wyoming? Good question! Since the dawn of time, humans have been trying to plan their powder days, a futile feat… until now. Is it magic? Is it science? Is it dumb luck? The answer may be yes to all of the above, but more than anything, the Powderbuoy is all about a positive vibration and energy that connects soul riders around the world.

““Yeahbuuuuooooyyyyyy””

- William Jonathan Drayton Jr.

It All Starts With the Buoy

Deep in the North Pacific, a lonely NOAA buoy floats, diligently collecting all sorts of weather data. No friends on a powder day? This lonely buoy may think its only friends are the passing birds who may stop by for a few; little does the buoy know how much happiness and joy it brings to people around the world on powder days.

Weather Prediction

Tracking buoys is nothing new; surfers have followed buoys since Gary Busey was dropping in on Big Wednesday to find out when swells are going to hit specific breaks. The Powderbuoy uses these same NOAA buoys in Hawaii and tracks the same energy that surfers ride in waves in Hawaii to forecast snow that we ride in our mountains. When the buoy pops, two weeks later you’re going to want to clear your calendar.

Plan Your Powder Flu

Don’t let those sick days go to waste, plan your flu and go get you some! That TPS report can wait for another day, you’ve got powder to ski. Yeahbuoy!

Go to the Buoy Dashboard

From the Blog

Powderbuoy Pilsner

Proceeds from Powderbuoy Pilsner sales go to the Utah Avalanche Center (Provided by Park City [...]

What is a Buoypop 101

In 2004 a friend of mine who lived part of the year in Hawaii and [...]

How do I interpret the plume data (Blue line graph)?

The Atmospheric Sciences Department at the University of Utah is one of the best, if [...]

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From Instagram

First day of Fall is coming in hot….errr cold. I love the snow and all, but the colors are just getting going and I hope we get to enjoy a colorful Fall biking and leaf peepin season. Btw, credit where credit is due; these plume charts are all from the University of Utah Atmospheric Sciences Dept. which is celebrating 75 years of weather awesomeness. Lots of hard work from current and former students and staff, thankful for all of them. They all think I’m a kook, but that’s ok. #yeahbuoy #goutes

First day of Fall is coming in hot….errr cold. I love the snow and all, but the colors are just getting going and I hope we get to enjoy a colorful Fall biking and leaf peepin season. Btw, credit where credit is due; these plume charts are all from the University of Utah Atmospheric Sciences Dept. which is celebrating 75 years of weather awesomeness. Lots of hard work from current and former students and staff, thankful for all of them. They all think I’m a kook, but that’s ok. #yeahbuoy #goutes ...

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Looks like some potential snow for the first day of fall, seems appropriate. Leaves are changing in the hills and wildflowers are still going, what a year! #yeahbuoy

Looks like some potential snow for the first day of fall, seems appropriate. Leaves are changing in the hills and wildflowers are still going, what a year! #yeahbuoy ...

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Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right. #yeahbuoy

Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right. #yeahbuoy ...

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Lukas Nelson opening up @parkcitysongsummit last night. So good.

Lukas Nelson opening up @parkcitysongsummit last night. So good. ...

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There we go! First of the season on hidden peak. Happy Labor Day!! #yeahbuoy

There we go! First of the season on hidden peak. Happy Labor Day!! #yeahbuoy ...

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Did you miss me? First trace of the season coming on Labor Day. Better get in some fall biking. #yeahbuoy

Did you miss me? First trace of the season coming on Labor Day. Better get in some fall biking. #yeahbuoy ...

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Lazy days of summer at the snow lab dept, even some sleeping on the job. Don’t let the lazy looks fool you, we’ve been hard at work and hired a new apprentice yesterday, say hello to our newest employee here at Powderbuoy HQ,  Hank Jr.

Lazy days of summer at the snow lab dept, even some sleeping on the job. Don’t let the lazy looks fool you, we’ve been hard at work and hired a new apprentice yesterday, say hello to our newest employee here at Powderbuoy HQ, Hank Jr. ...

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Outdoor summer movies w double🌈 & ⚡️ . First of all, you can never go too far. Second of all, if I’m going to be caught, it’s not gonna be by a guy like that! #snooty#snotty #yeahbuoy #theotherszn

Outdoor summer movies w double🌈 & ⚡️ . First of all, you can never go too far. Second of all, if I’m going to be caught, it’s not gonna be by a guy like that! #snooty#snotty #yeahbuoy #theotherszn ...

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Can’t seem to get away from Barbie mania. But thank you to this couple for sponsoring @mtntrailspc and this section of trail. #otherszn #yeahbuoy

Can’t seem to get away from Barbie mania. But thank you to this couple for sponsoring @mtntrailspc and this section of trail. #otherszn #yeahbuoy ...

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Who’s going this weekend? See you in San Fran, going Sat & Sun. ⚡️ 💀 🌹

Who’s going this weekend? See you in San Fran, going Sat & Sun. ⚡️ 💀 🌹 ...

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Snow lab schneefing some brown pow this eve. Do you know what the street value of this mountain is? #theotherszn #yeahbuoy

Snow lab schneefing some brown pow this eve. Do you know what the street value of this mountain is? #theotherszn #yeahbuoy ...

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Just a friendly reminder that the days are getting shorter and soon it’ll be snowing again. That is all #yeahbuoy

Just a friendly reminder that the days are getting shorter and soon it’ll be snowing again. That is all #yeahbuoy ...

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Snow lab report just in… still some patches out there on the trails, and waaaaay more than patches up higher. What a great spring, ready to jump into summer tomorrow and full tilt other szn. #yeahbuoy

Snow lab report just in… still some patches out there on the trails, and waaaaay more than patches up higher. What a great spring, ready to jump into summer tomorrow and full tilt other szn. #yeahbuoy ...

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